ARCHER - PJO / HOO / TOA

CHAPTER ONE

THE SUMMER SUN blared down on the camp, heat nipping at my skin. I continued to dig the blade of my knife into my bow, forming a design in the dark wood. Grover leaned anxiously on the other side of the porch, watching the sleeping boy in front of me. 

"What did you say his name was?" I asked, my Greek accent easily slipping through my words per usual. I shifted my gaze from the bow and knife in my hands to lay my eyes on the drooling boy in the chair. 

"Percy- well, Perseus Jackson. Nobody calls him that, though. Unless they're a monster," Grover replied, pressing the shoe box that was tucked under his arm harder against his side. I hummed in response, my eyes scanning over his features. His tanned skin, black hair, and quite faint freckles that dotted his face. 

"Kinda looks like Poseidon," I said, turning my head to Grover. 

"That's silly," he replied, shaking his head. 

"Just saying," I replied, shrugging. I looked back down at my bow, continuing with the engravements.

     After a few moments, I could hear the sound of ice clinking against glass, signaling that the boy was awake. "Careful," my voice rung out, my eyes flicking up to him. His own eyes widened, almost dropping the glass. 

"Who are you? What are those markings? Have I been kidnapped by some kind of cult?" Percy asked worriedly. 

A chuckle left my lips, as I shook my head. "I wish. A cult would be a lot cooler," I spoke in response, looking back down to the design I was carving into my bow. "Your buddy Grover's right there, don't panic." I gestured towards Grover with my hand that was holding my knife, Percy's gaze flickering to him. 

"That's Sol. Sol Damune. She's an old friend of mine," Grover said with a smile, resulting in my brows lifting up to him. 

"Mhm," I hummed, nodding. "Pleasure to meet ya', Percy." I turned back to my current art project, giving the two their obviously needed talking time. At the sound of the ice cubes hitting the glass, I assumed Percy had finally decided to take a drink. 

"So...you know, you kinda saved my life back there..." Grover said, his voice trailing off. 

"Alright, looks like you two need some alone time," I spoke up, hopping off my spot on the porch railing. I slid my knife back into its sheath attached to my belt, walking off the porch. "Mr. D and Chiron are waiting," I called as I walked around the porch as it wrapped around the Big House. I noticed Annabeth leaning on the porch railing, as I grinned. Chiron gave me a nod in greeting, which I returned with a wave. I stood beside Annabeth, smiling. "Hey," I greeted, dragging the word out. 

"Hey," Annabeth replied with a light smile. 

"Percy's awake," I told her. 

"Percy? The new kid, right?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow. 

"Mhm," I hummed in reply. 

"I think he's the one," Annabeth said with a nod. 

"You think everyone is 'the one', Annie," I teased, rolling my eyes playfully. 

"Well, I have hope." She rolled her eyes as well. I laughed softly, pushing myself up onto the railing and sitting on it, my legs dangling. "You're gonna fall," Annabeth said matter-of-factly. 

"Nuh-uh," I spoke in response, a smirk plastered along my lips, to which Annabeth sighed and shook her head.

After a moment or two, a familiar voice disturbed me from my thoughts. 

"Mr. Brunner!" Percy cried out. I sighed, glancing over to the scene. Chiron looked up, meeting Percy's gaze. 

"Ah, good, Percy," he said, raising his head slightly. "Now we have four for pinochle," he smiled. Then, he offered Percy a seat next to Mr. D. Percy seemed reluctant to sit, but did so anyways. 

"Oh, I suppose I must say it. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. There. Now, don't expect me to be glad to see you," Mr. D spoke to Percy with a dramatic sigh. 

"Uh, thanks," Percy said as he scooted away slightly, a nervous look on his face. I didn't blame him, Mr. D isn't exactly the most friendliest-looking person. 

"Annabeth, Sol?" Chiron called, his head turning to us. He gestured for us to come forward, and we did so. "Annabeth nursed you back to health, while Sol helped Argo watch over you while you were unconscious," he said to Percy, to which I gave a thumbs up, leaning on Annabeth. "Why don't you two young ladies check on Percy's bunk? We'll be putting him in cabin eleven for now," he explained to us.

Annabeth nodded in response. "Sure, Chiron," she said. Then, she glanced back to Percy. She glanced at the Minotaur horn, then his face. "You drool when you sleep," she said simply. I bit my bottom lip to stifle an upcoming laugh. She dragged me across the lawn, as I let out a small laugh.

↔↔↔↔↔

"I just don't see how he can be the one. He's an idiot," I grumbled.

"Hope," Annabeth groaned.

I paused, coming to a halt for a moment. Annabeth turned to me, inclining her head slightly. "Race you?" I offered with a smirk. 

"Oh, you're on," she said, a matching smirk gracing her lips.

With that, we both ran towards the cabins.